Convert SVG to PDF on Mac
Select the SVG files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PDF and press Return. FileFlip saves each PDF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert SVG to PDF with FileFlip
Select the SVG files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from SVG. Type “PDF” to jump to it.
Choose PDF and press Return
The PDF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The SVG files stay as they are.
SVG and PDF
Many apps, documents and upload forms only accept pixel images, not SVG. A PDF looks the same on every device and is the safest way to send something to be read or printed.
What changes when you convert
- The image is placed on a PDF page, which is handy for sending, printing or attaching to forms.
| Property | SVG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Scalable Vector Graphics | Portable Document Format |
| Made by | W3C | Adobe; an ISO standard since 2008 |
| Introduced | 2001 | 1993 |
| Best for | Logos, icons and illustrations that need to scale | Sharing, printing and archiving documents |
| Opens in | Every web browser and design apps such as Figma and Illustrator | Every browser, Preview, Acrobat and every phone |
| File extension | .svg | |
| In FileFlip | Opens | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format pdf logo.svg \
--out logo.pdfRecent macOS versions read SVG with sips; older ones don’t. Run sips --formats to check yours.
Questions about SVG and PDF
Can I convert many SVG files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose PDF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the PDF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .pdf extension. The SVG file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert PDF back to SVG?
No. FileFlip opens SVG files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole folder of images at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac